Keyboard pad with reversible mouse pad

ABSTRACT

A keyboard support arrangement which includes both a main support pad for supporting a computer keyboard and an auxiliary support pad for supporting a computer mouse. The auxiliary pad is removably and angularly positionable adjacent either side of the main keyboard pad to provide increased convenience and flexibility of use. The auxiliary mouse pad is totally separable from the main keyboard pad, and a multi-positionable connecting structure enables the auxiliary pad to be positioned relative to the main keyboard pad at one of a plurality of angular positions.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a keyboard pad arrangement for acomputer and, more particularly, to an improved keyboard pad arrangementemploying separate keyboard and mouse support pads which arepositionable in adjacent and interconnected relationship.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Articulated keyboard mechanisms are typically mounted on andassociated with work surfaces and desk tops to support a computerkeyboard. Such mechanisms are also often provided with an associatedsupport pad for a computer mouse, and this associated support pad iseither integrally related to the keyboard support pad so as to haveminimum flexibility, or in the alternative includes a wholly independentmouse support pad which, while providing greater flexibility,nevertheless results in additional complications with respect to bothstructure and mounting.

[0003] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved keyboardsupport arrangement which accommodates both a keyboard and a mouse, butwhich greatly improves upon both the structure and the convenience andflexibility of use in comparison to known structures.

[0004] Prior copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/866 137,which is owned by the same assignee of the instant application and whichis hereby incorporated by reference herein, relates to a keyboard padarrangement with a separate and detachable mouse pad. In an effort toimprove on this type of keyboard pad arrangement, the present inventionwas developed.

[0005] In this regard, the present invention relates to an improvedkeyboard support arrangement which includes both a main support pad forthe keyboard, as well as an auxiliary support pad for the mouse, withthe auxiliary support pad being removably and multiply positionable onand relative to the main support pad so as to provide increasedconvenience and flexibility of use with respect to the mouse support padand the mouse positionable thereon.

[0006] In the improved support pad arrangement of the invention, themouse or auxiliary pad is totally separable from the keyboard supportpad, and a connecting structure is provided for permitting the auxiliarypad to be mounted directly from the keyboard support pad adjacent eitherside edge thereof as selected by the user. In addition, the connectingstructure enables the auxiliary support pad to be positioned relative tothe keyboard support pad at one of a plurality of different angularrelationships so as to provide for increased comfort during use. Theconnecting structure also permits the auxiliary support pad to betotally and easily detached from the keyboard support pad and movedabout as a portable unit, thereby enabling it to be carried about foruse as a writing surface, or enabling it to be positioned on a desk topor work surface.

[0007] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, thesupport pad arrangement includes a main keyboard support pad and anauxiliary support pad adapted to support a computer mouse thereon. Theauxiliary pad is detachably supported at either side of the main pad byone of two elongate support elements slidably supported on the main padand extendible outwardly therefrom. The support pad arrangementadditionally includes a fixing structure adapted to hold the auxiliarypad in an engaged position on one of the support elements.

[0008] Other objects and purposes of the invention will be apparent uponreading the following specification and inspecting the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a perspective view which illustrates the keyboardsupport arrangement according to the invention and its attachment to andposition adjacent a conventional work surface;

[0010]FIG. 2 is a top view which illustrates the pad assembly includingthe main keyboard pad and the auxiliary mouse pad;

[0011]FIG. 3 is a fragmentary left side elevational view of the keyboardsupport arrangement of FIG. 1;

[0012]FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary left side view of the keyboardsupport arrangement similar to FIG. 3 with the bottom cover removedtherefrom;

[0013]FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary top view illustrating the rightsupport beam in an extended position;

[0014]FIG. 6 is a fragmentary bottom view of the keyboard supportarrangement of FIG. 1, but with the bottom cover removed and without theauxiliary mouse pad;

[0015]FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view takengenerally along line 7—7 in FIG. 3;

[0016]FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view takengenerally along line 8—8 in FIG. 7;

[0017]FIG. 9 is a fragmentary bottom view of the support arm andcarriage;

[0018]FIG. 10 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view takengenerally along line 10—10 of FIG. 2;

[0019]FIG. 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view takengenerally along line 11—11 of FIG. 2;

[0020]FIG. 12 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view takengenerally along line 12—12 of FIG. 5;

[0021]FIG. 13 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view takengenerally along line 13—13 of FIG. 5;

[0022]FIG. 14 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view takengenerally along line 14—14 of FIG. 5;

[0023]FIG. 15 is a front end view of the auxiliary pad taken generallyalong line 15—15 of FIG. 5;

[0024]FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along line 16—16of FIG. 5;

[0025]FIG. 17 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view takengenerally along line 17—17 of FIG. 6;

[0026]FIG. 18 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view takengenerally along line 18—18 of FIG. 6; and

[0027]FIG. 19 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view takengenerally along line 19—19 of FIG. 6.

[0028] Certain terminology will be used in the following description forconvenience in reference only, and will not be limiting. For example,the words “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “leftwardly” and “rightwardly” willrefer to directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The word“forwardly” will be used in conjunction with the portions of thekeyboard arrangement positioned closest to the user, and similarly theword “rearwardly” will refer to portions of the keyboard arrangementpositioned remote from the user. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly”will refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, thegeometric center of the overall arrangement and designated partsthereof. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned,derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Referring to the drawings, and specifically FIGS. 1 and 3, thereis illustrated an articulated keyboard support arrangement 10 accordingto the present invention. The arrangement 10 is adapted to be mounted ona conventional work surface or table top 11, the latter having generallyhorizontal and substantially planar upper and lower surfaces 12 and 13,respectively, with the work surface 11 terminating at a free front edge14.

[0030] The keyboard support arrangement 10 in the illustrated embodimentincludes an elongate support arm 15 which at the rear end thereofcouples to a carriage 16 which is positionable under the table top 11.The carriage 16 is preferably confined for sliding movement in afront-to-back direction of the table top 11 by means of an elongatetrack 17 stationarily and horizontally mounted on the lower surface 13of table top 11. The forward end of the support arm 15 mounts thereon apad assembly 20, which pad assembly 20 includes a main keyboard supportpad 21 and an auxiliary support pad 22 for supporting a computerkeyboard and a computer mouse, respectively. As shown in FIG. 3, themain pad 21 preferably includes a bottom cover 22A.

[0031] With reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 9, the carriage 16 is preferablyembodied by a bracket 18 which is substantially U-shaped incross-section. Bracket 18 includes a top wall 23 and a pair of sidewalls 24 which extend generally perpendicularly and downwardly fromopposite sides of top wall 23. Top wall 23 includes an upwardlyprojecting boss portion 25 which substantially defines the upper surfacethereof and which nonrotatably mounts thereon a circular plate or disc26 (FIG. 7). The bottom surface of top wall 23 fixedly mounts thereon arear brake bracket 27 (FIGS. 4 and 9) for a purpose as discussed below.

[0032] As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, carriage 16 additionallyincludes a frame-like slide arrangement 28 having a pair of generallyparallel and elongate guide members 30 and a pair of generally paralleland elongate cross members 31 which extend perpendicularly to guidemembers 30. Each cross member 31 extends between adjacent ends of therespective guide members 30, and terminal ends 32 of each cross member31 extend into an inwardly opening recess 33 located adjacent the endsof the guide members 30. Each guide and cross member 30 and 31respectively includes an inwardly opening, semi-circular groove 34 inwhich the outer periphery of disc 26 engages to fixedly but rotatablyconfine disc 26 within frame-like arrangement 28.

[0033] As best shown in FIG. 7, the frame-like slide arrangement 28 isconfined within track 17. Specifically, guide members 30 slidably engagewithin track 17 and enable slidable movement of the keyboard supportarrangement 10 relative to the work surface 11 in a front-to-backdirection as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3. Further, theabove-discussed grooved configuration of members 30 and 31 allowsrotation of the disc 26 therewithin about a generally vertical axis 37,which permits the keyboard support arrangement 10 to be angularlydisplaceable relative to the work surface 11. In this regard, dependingupon the particular length and width dimensions of the work surface, thekeyboard support arrangement 10 according to the invention mayhorizontally swivel 360° relative to the work surface.

[0034] The guide and cross members 30 and 31 are preferably constructedof a hard plastic so as to properly function as slide or bearingmembers.

[0035] Considering now the construction of the support arm 15, sameincludes an outer or upper arm 40 which is generally U-shaped incross-section and has an upper wall 41 which is arcuate when viewed fromthe side (FIG. 3), and a pair of generally parallel and flat side walls42 which extend generally perpendicularly and downwardly from oppositelongitudinal edges of upper wall 41. The upper wall 41 preferablyterminates at an edge 43 which is recessed with respect to side walls 42(i.e. side walls 42 project in the forward direction further than upperwall 41) to provide outer arm 40 with a forked front end 44 (FIG. 6).Each side wall 42 of outer arm 40 includes a generally arcuately shapedslot 46 (FIG. 4) at a rear end 45 of outer arm 40.

[0036] Support arm 15 also includes an inner or lower arm 50 which isalso U-shaped in transverse cross-section and has an upper wall 51having a generally arcuate shape when viewed from the side (FIG. 4).Planar side walls 52 preferably extend transversely and downwardly fromopposite longitudinal edges of upper wall 51. Upper wall 51 terminatesat an edge 53 which is recessed to provide inner arm 50 with a forkedfront end 54 (FIG. 6). For added rigidity, inner arm 50 also includes arear wall 55 (FIG. 9) which extends downwardly from upper wall 51 andtransversely between side walls 52, which rear wall 55 defines a rearend 55A of inner arm 50. A rear brake bracket 56 (FIGS. 4 and 9) isfixedly mounted on a bottom surface of upper wall 51 and projectsgenerally downwardly therefrom.

[0037] Rear end 45 of outer arm 40 is joined to carriage bracket 18 bygenerally horizontal upper and lower pivots 58 and 60 (FIGS. 4 and 9).Lower pivot 60 preferably extends through slots 46 of outer arm 40.Front end 44 of outer arm 40 is joined by a generally horizontal pivot62 (FIG. 6) to a pair of spaced-apart support brackets 61, which supportbrackets 61 are stationarily mounted to a lower surface 63 of main pad21. A coil spring 64 is preferably disposed about upper pivot 58 tosurround same. One end 64A (shown in dotted lines in FIG. 4) of coilspring 64 engages with a lower surface of upper wall 41 of outer arm 40and the other end 64B is fixedly held in an opening in side wall 24 ofcarriage bracket 18 (FIG. 9). Rear end 55A of inner arm 50 is joined tocarriage bracket 18 by lower pivot 60 (FIG. 4), and front end 54 ofinner arm 50 is joined to an inner arm bracket 67 (FIG. 6) by a pivot66. The inner arm bracket 67, in the illustrated embodiment, ispreferably movably disposed between the pair of stationary supportbrackets 61 on main pad 21, and is arranged so as to be pivotable aboutpivot 62. As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, inner arm 50 nests withinouter arm 40, i.e. between the side walls 42 thereof.

[0038] The pivot arrangement defined by the outer and inner arms 40 and50 effectively defines a four-bar linkage so that the entire padassembly 20 can be vertically raised and lowered to a suitable height byupward and downward swinging of the support arm 15 about pivots 58 and60, as discussed in further detail below. The four-bar linkagepreferably substantially defines a parallelogram when the main supportpad 21 is horizontally oriented or is in reasonably close orientationthereto.

[0039] Keyboard support arrangement 10 additionally includes a brakeassembly including front and rear brakes 70 and 71, each of which has ahousing 72, a shaft 73 slidably disposed within housing 72, and agenerally circular clamping member 74 located within housing 72 and insurrounding relation to shaft 73. Clamping member 74 is preferablynormally biased into frictional contact with shaft 73 to lock same in adesired position relative to housing 72 and is releasable for shaft 73as discussed below. Brakes such as those discussed above areconventional, and are commonly known and commercially available as PLPorter Brakes. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, housing 72 of rear brake 71 atone end thereof is joined to rear brake bracket 27 of carriage bracket18 by a generally horizontal pivot 75, and the terminal end of shaft 73of rear brake 71 located exteriorly of the housing 72 thereof is joinedto rear brake bracket 56 of inner arm 50 by a generally horizontal pivot76. Housing 72 of front brake 70 at one end thereof is joined to innerarm pivot bracket 67 by pivot 66, and the terminal end of shaft 73 offront brake 70 is joined to a front brake bracket 77 fixedly mounted onlower surface 63 of main pad 21 adjacent a forwardmost edge 78 thereofby a pivot 80. Brake assembly also includes conventional sheathedflexible cables 81 and 82 each having a terminal end fixed to theclamping member 74 of one of the respective front and rear brakes 70 and71. Thus, when cables 81 and 82 are actuated, the respective clampingmember 74 releases shaft 73.

[0040] With reference to FIG. 6, keyboard support arrangement 10 alsoincludes an actuator assembly 83 having a generally L-shaped actuatorlever 84 and an actuator bracket 85. Actuator bracket 85 is preferablyU-shaped and is fixedly mounted on the lower surface 63 of main pad 21adjacent front edge 78 thereof. Actuator lever 84 is pivotably mountedbetween respective legs of actuator bracket 85 by a generally verticalpivot 86. A front portion 87 of actuator lever 84 preferably extendsoutwardly past front edge 78 of main pad 21 to provide ready access toactuator lever 84, and a recessed finger grip 88 is formed in the frontportion 87 for the convenience of the user. The actuator lever 84additionally includes a rear portion 92 opposite front portion 87, whichrear portion 92 fixedly mounts thereat terminal ends of cables 81 and82.

[0041] The actuator 84 lever is movable about pivot 86 within a planewhich is generally parallel to the plane defined by main pad 21. In thisregard, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the actuatorlever 84 is preferably pivotably movable inwardly (i.e. towards thefront edge 78 of main pad 21) into one of two actuating positions asindicated by dotted lines 84A and 84B in FIG. 6. Actuating positions 84Aand 84B respectively permit tilting of main pad 21 with respect to thehorizontal, and vertical height adjustment of the keyboard supportarrangement 10 with respect to the work surface 11, as discussed below.

[0042] The inner arm bracket 67 enables main pad 21 to be verticallytilted into a desired position about horizontal pivot 62 as indicated bydotted lines in FIG. 3. The degree of tilt of main pad 21 is in a rangeof between about 10° to about 20° upwards or downwards from thehorizontal, and is preferably tiltable about 15° upwards or downwardsfrom the horizontal. In order to adjust the angular position of main pad21 with respect to the horizontal, pressure is exerted by the user onfront portion 87 of actuator lever 84 to pivot lever 84 inwardly a smallamount into position 84A (FIG. 6). This pivoting movement of lever 84actuates front brake cable 81 which operates to release clamping lever74 of front brake 70 from shaft 73 thereof and allows tilting of mainpad 21 in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction about pivot62. In order to lock the main pad 21 in the selected angular position,the actuator lever 84 is released, which causes clamp 74 to reengagewith shaft 73 and lock front brake 70.

[0043] This pivoting movement of actuator lever 84 into position 84A(i.e. the “tilt” position) also actuates rear brake cable 82. However,rear brake cable 82 preferably includes a sufficient amount of slack sothat pivoting actuator lever 84 into position 84A does not release therear brake 71.

[0044] In order to adjust the vertical height of the keyboard supportarrangement 10, the actuator lever 84 is pivoted inwardly a greateramount into position 84B by exerting pressure on the front portion 87thereof, which serves to release both front and rear brakes 70 and 71and allows either upward or downward swinging movement of support arm 15with respect to the work surface 11. In this regard, the slot 46 ofouter arm 40 preferably defines and limits the upward and downwardmovement of support arm 15. During upward and downward movement of thesupport arm 15, the inner arm bracket 67 pivots about pivot 62 to enablethe inner arm 50 and the front brake 70 to move as necessary withrespect to outer arm 40. Further, the coil spring 64 preferably biasesthe support arm 15 upwardly with respect to work surface 11, andtherefore assists the user in raising the keyboard support arrangement10 from a lowered position.

[0045] In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the invention,the slack in rear brake cable 82 may be removed, and both front and rearbrakes 70 and 71 may be released upon a single actuating movement ofactuator lever 84 so that the tilt of main pad 21 and the verticalheight of keyboard support arrangement 10 can be adjustedsimultaneously.

[0046] Considering now the construction of the pad assembly 20 andspecifically the main pad 21 thereof, same includes a generallyhorizontally enlarged and substantially planar upper surface 94 forsupporting a conventional computer keyboard 95 thereon (shown in dottedlines in FIG. 4). The main pad 21 is also preferably provided with anelongate wrist or palm rest 96 disposed adjacent the front edge 78thereof. The wrist rest 96 is preferably embodied by an elongate foamedor gel cushion which may be supported directly on the main pad 21 so asto project upwardly above upper surface 94, whereby the wrist rest 96defines an upwardly projecting abutment surface 97 on the rear edgethereof, the latter functioning to confine the keyboard 95 on the mainpad 21. If desired, the wrist rest 96 may be adjustable in height tosuit the individual operator, and for this purpose may be provided withone or more adjustment levers or knobs (not shown) adjacent the frontedge 78 of the main pad 21, for example.

[0047] Main pad 21 additionally includes, substantially midway alongeach of right and left side edges 100 and 101 thereof, a recess 102(FIG. 3) and a connecting member 103 (FIG. 4) located within recess 102.Each connecting member 103 includes a serrated or toothed sector 104.Each toothed sector 104 includes a plurality of teeth 105 (FIG. 5), witha space 105A between adjacent pairs of teeth 105. The toothed sectors104 are generally arcuate in configuration when viewed from the side asillustrated in FIG. 4. Each of the connecting members 103 also includesa shroud 106 disposed above the respective toothed sector 104 to coversame as shown in FIGS. 11 and 13. Shroud 106 is shown in broken sectionin FIG. 5 to more clearly illustrate teeth 105. In accordance with apreferred embodiment of the invention, the shrouds 106 each include aninwardly extending recess 107, along the edge of which recess 107 aplurality and preferably five position markers 108 are located on shroud106 for a purpose discussed below.

[0048] The auxiliary pad 22 of the pad assembly 20 includes a generallyhorizontally enlarged upper surface 110 which has a suitable smoothnessand softness so as to provide optimum support and performance for aconventional computer mouse. A raised shoulder 110A (FIG. 5) preferablysubstantially surrounds surface 110 so as to confine the mouse (notshown) on pad 22. Shoulder 110A preferably extends along right and leftside edges 111 and 112 of pad 22 and also along a rear edge 111A of pad22. With reference to FIG. 2, the right and left side edges 111 and 112which are configured so as to be positionable adjacent and compatiblewith respective corresponding left and right side edges 101 and 100 ofmain pad 21. That is, the edges 111 and 101 are of corresponding andcomplementary configuration so as to be positionable directly adjacentone another substantially as shown in FIG. 2, and the remaining edges112 and 100 are also of similar configuration so as to be positionabledirectly adjacent one another. As such, the auxiliary pad 22 can bedisposed closely adjacent the right side edge 100 of main pad 21, asshown in FIG. 2, or alternatively the auxiliary pad 22 can be positioneddirectly adjacent the left side edge 101 of main pad 21 as indicated bydotted lines in FIG. 2.

[0049] As best shown in FIG. 15, the auxiliary pad 22 preferablyincludes a front edge portion 112A which, in transverse cross-section asshown in FIG. 15 is generally concave in a middle region thereof suchthat smoothly curved and convex shoulders 112C are formed at oppositeends of front portion 112A. As shown in FIG. 16, the front edge portion112A of auxiliary pad 22 in longitudinal cross-section curves smoothlydownwardly in a generally convex configuration.

[0050] The auxiliary pad 22 may, if desirable, also include a or palmwrist rest 112B (FIG. 16) of a soft cushion construction adjacent thefront edge thereof similar to wrist rest 96 of the main pad 21. Thewrist rest 112B can preferably be held on pad 22 by resilient, lowerclips 112D which engage the lower surface 117 of pad 22. Wrist rest 96can preferably have an inner contour which conforms to front edgeportion 112A of pad 22.

[0051] The auxiliary pad 22 additionally includes right and leftconnecting members 113 and 114 (FIG. 5), each having a toothed sector115 including a plurality of teeth 116, with four such teeth 116included in the illustrated embodiment. The toothed sectors 115preferably have a generally arcuate configuration when viewed from theside as best illustrated in FIG. 14. More specifically, toothed sectors115 lie along a similar curve as toothed sectors 104 of main pad 21(both curves being generated about a common axis). The lower surface 117of auxiliary pad 22, as shown in FIG. 14, preferably has an elongatechannel 118 formed therein which is generally arcuate in cross-sectionand extends in a generally linear manner transversely across lowersurface 117 and between the connecting members 113 and 114.

[0052] The auxiliary pad 22 according to the invention is detachablefrom main pad 21 and mountable directly thereon by means of a supportassembly including right and left elongate and generally linear supportbeams 120 (FIG. 6). Each support beam 120A and 120B is generally arcuatein transverse cross-section with the longitudinal edges thereofpreferably facing downwardly.

[0053] The support beams 120A, 120B are preferably slidably mounted soas to engage with an elongate guide member or track 121 (FIG. 6) whichis disposed on the lower surface 63 of main pad 21 and is orientedgenerally parallel to the longitudinal dimension thereof. The guidetrack 121 is preferably arcuate in transverse cross-section asillustrated in FIG. 10, so as to generally conform to the arcuate shapeof the support beams 120A, 120B. Guide track 121 preferably includes apair of parallel guide ribs or ridges 123 (FIG. 10) which extend alongthe length thereof and make contact with the upper surface of thesupport beams 120A, 120B. Further, as shown in FIG. 18, guide track 121and ridges 123 thereof are configured so as to allow the overlap of thebeams 120A, 120B, i.e. the ridges 123 project further downwardlyadjacent support beam 120A so that beam 120A can ride beneath or overbeam 120B.

[0054] Each support beam 120A, 120B is slidably secured to the lowersurface 63 of main pad 21 by means of a beam support bracket 124 (FIGS.6 and 10) two of which are located adjacent a respective side edge 100and 101 of main pad 21, and a third of which is located in a middleregion of lower surface 63. The beam support brackets 124 each include amiddle portion 125 having a similar contour as the lower surface of therespective support beam 120A, 120B, and terminal ends 126 which aresecured to lower surface 63 by means of appropriate mounting projections130 and fasteners 131. The support beams 120A, 120B are thusindividually slidable outwardly relative to the respective side edge 100and 101 into an extended position, and are individually slidableinwardly into a retracted position so that the support beam 120A, 120Bis located substantially completely beneath the main pad 21. In thisregard, three pairs of holes 132, 133 and 134 are provided in eachsupport beam 120A and 120B. Holes 132 are preferably located adjacentthe outer terminal end of each beam 120A and 120B, holes 133 are locatedapproximately midway along each beam 120A and 120B, and holes 134 arelocated adjacent holes 133. With reference to FIG. 19, main pad 21preferably includes a pair of bosses 135 adjacent end brackets 124 whichproject generally downwardly from main pad 21. Each boss 135 confinestherein a coil spring 136, which coil spring 136 preferably biases aspherical roller bearing 137 adjacent the upper surface of therespective support beam 120A and 120B. When the support beam 120A, 120Bis moved into a fully retracted position under main pad 21, each rollerbearing 137 is biased by spring 136 so as to partially project into therespective hole 132 of the support beam which serves to hold the supportbeam in the retracted position. The roller bearings 137 also serve tohold the respective support beam in extended and partially extendedpositions for mounting auxiliary pad 22 on main pad 21 as discussedfurther below.

[0055] Each support beam 120A, 120B preferably includes a cap or handle140 fixedly mounted at the outer free end thereof by a mounting flange142 which extends inwardly and generally horizontally along the lowerside of the respective support beam 120A, 120B and is fastened thereto.Mounting flange 142 preferably has an arcuate cross-sectional shapewhich conforms to the arcuate cross-sectional shape of the support beam120A, 120B. As best shown in FIG. 5, each handle 140 includes an arcuatetoothed sector 143 having a plurality of teeth 144 with spaces 144Atherebetween, and a shroud 145 (FIGS. 11 and 12) which extends inwardlyand above teeth 144 to cover same. Each shroud 145 also includes aplurality of position markers 148 which generally longitudinally alignwith markers 108. For the convenience of the user, each handle 140 alsoincludes a lower portion 147 which can be utilized to assist the user inmoving the respective support beam 120A, 120B.

[0056] Main paid 21, including brackets 61 and 77 and guide track 121may be formed as a one-piece injection molded plastic component, or maybe separate components and appropriately fastened to one another.Similarly, auxiliary pad 22 may be formed as an injection molded plasticcomponent. Support beams 120A, 120B, support arm 15 and carriage 16 maybe formed of a lightweight metal such as aluminum.

[0057] To mount the auxiliary pad 22 on the main pad 21, and for exampleon the right side 100 of the main pad 21, the handle 140 of the rightsupport beam 120A is grasped and support beam 120A is pulled outwardlyinto its fully extended position (FIG. 5) so that the roller bearings137 disengage from holes 132, slide along beam 120A and then engage inthe respective holes 133 of beam 120A. The auxiliary pad 22 is thenlowered towards the support beam 120A until the upper surface of beam120A engages in the correspondingly configured recess 118 of theauxiliary pad 22. To lock the auxiliary pad 22 into position withrespect to the main pad 21, the support beam 120A is then pushedinwardly into a partially retracted position until the teeth 144 of thesupport beam handle 140 engage with the correspondingly configured teeth116 of the auxiliary pad 22 located along the right side edge 111thereof, the teeth 116 of the auxiliary pad 22 located along the leftside edge 112 thereof engage with the teeth 105 located along the rightside edge 100 of the main pad 21, and the roller bearings 137 engage inthe respective holes 134 of beam 120A.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 2, when the auxiliary pad 22 is locked in placealong one side of main pad 21, the shroud 145 of support beam handle 140covers and thus hides the teeth 144 thereof and teeth 116 of auxiliarypad 22, and the shroud 106 of main pad 21 preferably covers and thushides the teeth 105 thereof and teeth 116 of auxiliary pad 22.

[0059] To adjust the angular position of the auxiliary pad 22 withrespect to the main pad 21, the support beam 120 is again movedoutwardly relative to right side edge 100 of main pad 21 a sufficientamount so that both pairs of teeth (i.e. teeth 105 of main pad 21 andleft-side teeth 116 of auxiliary pad 22, and right-side teeth 116 ofauxiliary pad 22 and teeth 144 of beam handle 140) disengage from oneanother, the auxiliary pad 22 is then pivoted on the beam 120A into thedesired position, and the support beam 120A is then pushed inwardlyuntil the pairs of teeth re-engage one another and lock the auxiliarypad 22 in the newly selected angular orientation. The position markers108 of main pad 21 and the position markers 148 of handle 140 canpreferably assist the user in selecting the desired position of pad 22.

[0060] The auxiliary pad 22 may be repositioned adjacent the left side101 of the main pad 21 simply by sliding the right support beam 120Aoutwardly to disengage the pairs of teeth from one another, lifting pad22 away from beam 120A, and positioning auxiliary pad 22 on left sidebeam 120B in a similar manner as described above.

[0061] Due to the ease with which the auxiliary pad 22 can be mounted onand interchanged from either a right side 100 to a left side 101position relative to the main pad 21, or in fact detached totally fromthe main pad 21, the auxiliary pad 22 hence can be readily used forother purposes or conveniently repositioned. For example, the auxiliarypad 22 may be completely removed from main pad 21 in the mannerdiscussed above, and positioned on an adjacent work surface or desk topif so desired. In this regard, auxiliary pad 22 can be provided withsupport feet 117A (FIG. 15) adjacent front and rear corners of pad 22which project downwardly from the lower surface 117 of the pad 22.Alternately, the auxiliary pad 22, when detached from main pad 21, canbe carried about and used separately as a writing surface or otherwise.

[0062] Although a particular preferred embodiment of the invention hasbeen disclosed in detail for illustrative purposes, it will berecognized that variations or modifications of the disclosed apparatus,including the rearrangement of parts, lie within the scope of thepresent invention.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A support padarrangement for a computer keyboard, comprising: a main keyboard supportpad having first and second ides and a generally horizontally enlargedupper surface adapted for supporting a computer keyboard thereon; anauxiliary support pad having a generally horizontally enlarged uppersurface adapted for supporting a computer mouse thereon; a supportingstructure connected to said main pad for movably supporting said supportpad arrangement from a work surface, said supporting structure beingfree of connection to said auxiliary pad; and a connecting structureconnecting said auxiliary pad directly to said main keyboard supportpad, said connecting structure including first and second connectingmembers respectively mounted on said first and second sides of said mainpad, and a third connecting member mounted on said auxiliary padconfigured to cooperatively engage with one of said first and secondconnecting members to create a plurality of discrete angular positionsof said auxiliary pad with respect to said main pad when said auxiliarypad is positioned adjacent one of said first and second sides,respectively.
 2. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said connectingstructure defines a generally horizontal pivot axis which extendstransversely of said main and auxiliary pads, said auxiliary pad beingpositionable in a plurality of discrete angular positions about thepivot axis.
 3. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein said third connectingmember of said auxiliary pad is mounted on a first side thereof, andsaid auxiliary pad further includes a fourth connecting member mountedon a second side of said auxiliary pad, said fourth connecting memberbeing configured to cooperatively engage with the other of said firstand second connecting members to create a plurality of discrete angularpositions of said auxiliary pad with respect to said main pad when saidauxiliary pad is positioned adjacent the other of said first and secondsides of said main pad.
 4. The arrangement of claim 3 wherein saidconnecting structure includes first and second elongate connectingelements slidably supported on said main pad and extendible outwardlyfrom the respective first and second sides thereof into an extendedposition, said auxiliary pad being removably supported on one of saidfirst and second connecting elements when in said extended position. 5.The arrangement of claim 4 wherein each said first and second connectingelement includes a connecting member at an outer terminal end thereof,each said connecting member of said first and second connecting elementsbeing configured to cooperatively engage with one of said third andfourth connecting members of said auxiliary pad to lock said auxiliarypad in a desired angular orientation relative to said main pad.
 6. Thearrangement of claim 1 wherein said supporting structure includes asupport arm having a first end associated with said main pad and asecond end remote therefrom, and a bracket disposed adjacent the worksurface and associated with said second end of said support arm, saidbracket non-rotatably mounting thereon a circular member defining avertical axis, said supporting structure further including a frame-likearrangement movably disposed within an elongate track fixedly mounted toa lower surface of the work surface, said frame-like arrangement beingslidably disposed within said track for permitting movement of saidsupport pad arrangement toward and away from the work surface, and saidframe-like arrangement being configured to confine said circular membertherewithin such that said circular member is rotatable relative to saidframe-like arrangement to permit said support pad arrangement to bepivoted about the vertical axis with respect to the work surface.
 7. Thearrangement of claim 1 wherein said supporting structure includes asupport arm assembly adapted to permit said support pad arrangement tobe positioned in a plurality of vertical positions with respect to thework surface, and to permit said main pad to be positioned in aplurality of angular positions with respect to a generally horizontalplane defined by the work surface.
 8. The arrangement of claim 7 furtherincluding an actuator assembly having an actuator lever movably mountedon said main pad and being movable into a first position for permittingsaid main pad to be positioned in said plurality of angular positionsand a second position for permitting said support pad arrangement to bepositioned in said plurality of vertical positions.
 9. The arrangementof claim 8 wherein said support arm assembly includes a support armhaving a first end pivotably connected to said main pad and a second endremote therefrom, said connecting structure including a support memberconnected to the work surface and pivotably supporting said second endof said support arm, said support arm assembly further including a firstbraking member associated with said first end of said support armadapted to fix said main pad in one of said angular positions, and asecond braking member associated with said second end of said supportarm adapted to fix said support pad arrangement in one of said verticalpositions, said actuator lever when moved into said first positionreleasing said first braking member to permit movement of said main padinto a selected one of said angular positions, and said actuator whenmoved into said second position releasing said second braking member topermit movement of said support pad arrangement into a selected one ofsaid vertical positions.
 10. The arrangement of claim 1 wherein saidfirst and second connecting members each include a toothed portion, andsaid third connecting member includes a toothed portion configured tocooperatively engage with said one first and second connecting member tocreate said plurality of discrete angular positions.
 11. The arrangementof claim 1 wherein said connecting structure is configured and disposedto permit removal and separation of said auxiliary pad from said onefirst and second side and reattachment of said auxiliary pad to theother of said one first and second sides.
 12. The arrangement of claim 1wherein said connecting structure includes first and second elongateconnecting elements slidably supported on said main pad and extendibleoutwardly from the respective first and second sides thereof into anextended position, said auxiliary pad being removably supported on oneof said first and second connecting elements when in said extendedposition.
 13. A support pad arrangement for a computer keyboard,comprising: a main keyboard support pad having first and second sidesand a generally horizontally enlarged upper surface adapted forsupporting a computer keyboard thereon; an auxiliary support pad havinga generally horizontally enlarged upper surface adapted for supporting acomputer mouse thereon, said auxiliary pad being wholly and readilyseparable from said main pad; a supporting structure connected to saidmain pad for movably supporting said support pad arrangement from a worksurface; and a connecting structure configured to detachably connectsaid auxiliary pad to said main pad adjacent either of said first andsecond sides and defining a generally horizontal pivot axis whichextends transversely of said first and second sides, said connectingstructure including an elongate support element having a first endslidably supported on said main pad and a second end for supporting saidauxiliary pad, and a locking arrangement cooperating between said mainand auxiliary pads to permit said auxiliary pad to be positioned in aplurality of discrete and fixed angular positions with respect to saidmain pad by pivoting said auxiliary pad about the pivot axis.
 14. Thearrangement of claim 13 wherein said connecting structure includes apair of said elongate support elements each slidably supported on saidmain pad, a first of said support elements being extendible outwardlyfrom said first side of said main pad into an extended position, and asecond of said support elements being extendible outwardly from saidsecond side of said main pad into an extended position for supportingsaid auxiliary pad thereon adjacent the respective said first and secondside of said main pad.
 15. The arrangement of claim 14 wherein saidfirst and second support elements are longitudinally aligned with oneanother and are slidably mounted on a bottom surface of said main pad.16. The arrangement of claim 13 wherein said locking arrangementincludes first and second connecting members mounted adjacent said firstand second sides of said main pad, respectively, and a third connectingmember mounted on said auxiliary pad configured to cooperatively engagewith one of said first and second connecting members to provide theplurality of discrete angular positions of said auxiliary pad relativeto said main pad.
 17. The arrangement of claim 16 wherein each saidfirst and second connecting member includes a toothed portion configuredto engage with a correspondingly configured toothed portion of saidthird connecting member.
 18. The arrangement of claim 13 wherein saidauxiliary pad is slidably supported on said elongate support element forpivoting about the pivot axis.
 19. A keyboard support pad arrangementfor connection to a work surface, comprising: a main keyboard supportpad having first and second sides and a generally horizontally enlargedupper surface adapted for supporting a keyboard thereon; an auxiliarysupport pad having a generally horizontally enlarged upper surfaceadapted for supporting a computer mouse thereon; first and secondelongate support elements slidably supported on said main pad, each saidfirst and second support element being extendible outwardly from therespective first and second sides of said main pad into an extendedposition, said auxiliary pad being supported on one of said first andsecond support elements when in said extended position, and saidauxiliary pad being detachable from the respective said support elementand positionable adjacent either of said first and second sides of saidmain pad; and a fixing structure adapted for holding said auxiliary padin an engaged position on said one first and second support element. 20.The arrangement of claim 19 wherein said fixing structure includes afirst and second connecting members respectively mounted adjacent saidfirst and second sides of said main pad, and third and fourth connectingmembers respectively mounted adjacent first and second sides of saidauxiliary pad, each said third and fourth connecting member beingconfigured to cooperatively engage with one of said first and secondconnecting members.
 21. The arrangement of claim 19 wherein saidauxiliary pad includes a generally flat surface for supporting thecomputer mouse thereon and accommodating movements thereof, a shoulderwhich projects upwardly from and substantially surrounds said flatsurface to confine the mouse on said auxiliary pad.
 22. The arrangementof claim 21 wherein said auxiliary pad includes a front edge portionhaving a generally concave configuration in transverse cross-section andgenerally convex configuration in longitudinal section.